Hungary decided not to arrest Putin
The Hungarian government announced that it will not detain Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Budapest based on the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
The statement was made by the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations, Peter Szijjártó. According to him, Hungary is ready to receive Putin and strives to create a peaceful and safe environment for negotiations.
In an interview with journalists, the minister emphasized his concern that Vladimir Putin conducts successful negotiations in Budapest and returns peacefully. Additionally, Szijjártó stated that Hungary is prepared to provide all necessary conditions for negotiations between the presidents of Russia and the United States.
He noted that the country does not succumb to external pressures and that Hungary is a sovereign state. For reference, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on October 16 his intention to meet with the Russian president in Budapest, although the exact date has not yet been set.
Hungary joined the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court, in 1999 and ratified it two years later. However, in 2023, the country's officials announced the decision not to arrest Putin during his visit to Budapest.
In 2025, Hungary also invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, against whom there is also an International Criminal Court warrant. Against this background, Hungary expressed its intention to withdraw from the international court, but this process has not yet been fully completed.
Putin's recent international trips have also proceeded freely despite the International Criminal Court's warrant. He visited Mongolia in September 2024 and Tajikistan in October 2025.
Although both countries have ratified the Rome Statute, Putin was not arrested. Experts believe that Hungary's position is a political step aimed at maintaining a balance between the West and Russia.
Despite being a member of the European Union, the country does not wish to sever dialogue with Moscow.
